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Australia race to victory over New Zealand

The New Zealand top order crumble as Australia secure an emphatic victory in the first Test on day four.

04 Dec 2011 10:56 GMT

Paceman James Pattinson is applauded by his teammates after taking five wickets [AFP]

Australia took only 12 minutes to chase the 19 required runs and complete a crushing nine-wicket victory over New Zealand on day four of the first cricket Test.

James Pattinson wrecked the New Zealand top order earlier on Sunday, taking three wickets in his first over and four in the first session to help bowl out New Zealand for 150 in the second innings, just an 18-run lead.

Pattinson, who struck late Saturday to remove opener Brendon McCullum, had figures of 5-7 after his first, devastating spell of swing bowling on the fourth morning.

David Warner finished unbeaten on 12 with three boundaries from the four balls he faced as Australia maintained an unbeaten streak at the Gabba which stretches back to 1988.

"It's sort of surreal after a bit of a shaky start in my first innings," Pattinson said after being named man of the match.

"But in the second innings I managed to get those nerves sorted out. I just had a pretty clear mind and tried to stay settled today."

"I think the top six have to put their hands up"

NZ captain Ross Taylor

New Zealand began the day at 10-1 but went to lunch at 121-7. And the visitors were 123-8 when Dean Brownlie (42) was dismissed by Peter Siddle (1-44) on the eighth ball after lunch. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon (3-19) helped clean up the tail.

While Australia captain Michael Clarke said it was a "nice start to the summer" for his side, his New Zealand counterpart, Ross Taylor, said he looked for a big improvement when the second Test starts on Friday in Hobart.

"I think the top six have to put their hands up,'' Taylor said, a group which included himself.

"There were some soft dismissals out there. We were pretty disappointed with that, and we need to step up for the next match."